The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-08-31
LONG-TERM CONVICTS
Efforts to Secure tae Pardon Of Two Prisoners
Ssntsnosd for Taking Llfs
The Interesting Case of Daniel Snyder,
Accused of Poisoning HIS Wealthy
Wife-A Charlottesville Petition,

Daniel Snyder, a native of Putnam
County, Indiana, and Union Soldier, in
the late war, moved 10 Upton County
some fifteen years ago, where he woed and
won a wealthy widow with one child.
After they had oeen married about three
months the mother and chJld, daughter
about II years old, died suddenly. The
conduct Of the husband after the death of
his wife and step-child wasso unbecoming
as to even excite the suspicion that they
had been foully dealt with, which suspi-
cion finally become so strong that friends
of the dead insisted upon having the
bodies exhumed. This was done aud the
presence of arsenic was found in the stom-
sch of Mrs. Snyder. This led to the
arrest of Snyder on the charge
of numbering his wife. Although the only
proof against him was his unseemly con-
duct in taking part in a Republican pro.
cession and making inquiries as to his
share of the estate Immediately after the
death of Mrs. Snyder, this was deemed suf-
fcient By the jury, and he was sentenced
for life. A new trial was procured and the
finding OF the jury was this time man
slaughter. This was also set aside aud
new trial ordered in Delaware County. In
this trial the druggist VINO had previously
sworn that Snyder had not purchased poi
son from him, having refreshed his memo
~, swore that Snyder had bought the poi
son. The presiding Judge ordered recall
of this witness, but he, having got word of
it, moved back to his home outside the
State. As Snyder has nov been imprisoned
eleven years and there are doubts as to
whether he is really guilty, petition for
his pardon, endorsed by some very promi-
nent people, has been presented to Gov.
Gray.
There is also q movement to secure the
pardon of another l0ng-term convict,
William..E. Shular, of Montgomery coun-
| ty, who was convicted of munslaugh GER,
May II, 1885, and sentenced to seventeen
years Imprisonment Shular was a hard
working blacksmith, whose only short
comings grew out of his indulgence in
strong drink. One night IN Charlottesville
| saloon drunken row occurred in which
William Lane, participant, was
| killed. There was serious doubt as to
whether the killing was intentional or &C
| cidental; also, as to the identity of the
| man who took Laue's lit5. Shular and
companion, James Cunningham, were
arrested. Cunningham secured change
OF venue to another county, aud was &C.
i Quilted. Shular stood trial in Montgomery
County, and, though the evidence present
ed wes.the same as that 10 the Cunningham
case, he was convicted. His conduct in
! prison has been most exemplary, and it is
urged that if he be pardoned he will re-
turn to the home of his aged parents and
henceforth lead an honest, sober and up
right life The petition for his pardon vas
presented to the Governor yesterday by a
delegation of prom lent citizens of CrsW-
| fordsvllle, among whom were Curtis E j.
wards, who was juror in the case, r. B
Snyder, w. B. Herod, N. Mcconnell,
| James Mcintyre, Harris Reynolds and L..
Sbular. The last named is the father of
the prisoner.